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| Everything is a work of art at ASW Distillery. |
Slated to open in July, ASW Distillery (ASW) is an Atlanta "must
do!" Founded by Jim Chasteen and
Charlie Thompson, ASW is the perfect Midtown stop for a spirited
weekend. Their first product, a clear
whiskey called American Spirit Whisey, is fabulous.
Yes, you did read correctly, clear whiskey. And no ... it's NOT moonshine. Thanks to charcoal filtering and aging with
oak, American Spirit Whiskey's flavor is
smooth and light. It is perfect on the
rocks, neat, in a Martini, a Bloody Mary or any cocktail usually made with
vodka. In fact, it is the ideal
bridge-to-whiskey for vodka drinkers.
I had the pleasure of meeting several of the ASW team
members at the 2016 Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. The idea of a clear whiskey piqued my
curiosity, so I tried it. Being a bourbon
drinker, I was skeptical, but after the
first sip, I was most impressed. In
fact, I asked where to buy it and picked up a bottle the next day.
The following weekend, I had a private tour of the ASW Distillery. Chad Ralston, who is at the helm of ASW's
growth and grassroots guided me through every detail of both the American
Spirit Whiskey brand and ASW Distillery that will not only produce American
Spirit Whiskey, but other individually branded bourbons and single malts in the
years to come.
The facility is beautiful, thanks to the lovely designs of Kelly
Chasteen and architect Oliver Carter.
Clean lines and exquisite details grace your eyes upon entry. The well-planned seating areas equipped with
Wi-Fi invite you to "sit and stay a while." Design elements include repurposed wood
procured from the Old Crow distillery, a
fabulous metal door which makes a grand entry into the distillery, a chalkboard
outlining the process of whiskey making and a perfectly-placed Penley painting.
The lush , deep tones of the bar enhance the warmth of the
room. The drawers at its end are filled
with corn, rye and barley to give patrons a hands-on experience to the whiskey-making
process.
Vintage pieces on display include an old typewriter, a late 50s Polaroid camera and a pre-1920s
Kentucky ballot box.
Retail items include gorgeous Glencairn crystal tasting
glasses - with or without the ASW logo, decanters, flasks, water pitchers and
Yeti products. Yes, they carry Yeti!
I learned about sprouting barley to make mash, the importance of temperature and water
cooling, and the difference between low
wines, feints and actual spirits. I
learned about the porosity of the barrels and the aging process. Biggest lesson learned -- never touch the
fabulous Vendome copper and brass stills.
ASW Distillery has outdoor seating in a courtyard that lends
to high-quality acoustic sounds. I sang
a few notes and must say, I cannot wait to hear live music being played in that
area.
Whiskey and Wi-Fi, y'all ... it is the next intown thing to
do.
Cheers!
